Looking for places to visit in and around Purbeck for your holiday or visit? We have an abundance of awe inspiring natural attractions, including the stunning natural geology of the Jurassic Coast, the beautiful beaches and coves. If you love nature and wildlife make sure to visit the Purbeck Heaths, the first super national nature reserve in the country and home to all six native reptiles in the UK! It also recently featured in BBC’s Springwatch!
Soak up the traditional seaside entertainments and attractions in the charming seaside town of Swanage. Or if you love history make sure to visit Wareham, which has the best preserved Saxon walls in the country. Not forgetting of course the village of Corfe, home to the iconic Corfe Castle.
Take a tour around Purbeck’s pretty villages, where you will be sure to find some amazing views of the Dorset countryside or a fantastic country pub to enjoy a leisurely lunch!
There’s also plenty of castles, museums, local cinema and theatre as well as activity parks for children, to keep everyone amused and entertained!
Nature and Wildlife
Heritage and History
Family Friendly Attractions
Experiences, Sports and Adventure
Dog Friendly
Purbeck’s name was recorded in 948 AD as Purbicinga, meaning “Of the people of Purbic” – and Purbic may well be a former Celtic name.
Purbeck is a district in Dorset on the South Coast of England, also known as the ‘Isle of Purbeck’. Although not an island in geographical terms Purbeck is bordered on three sides by sea, and on the remaining side, the North, by the River Frome and its water meadows. This low lying land around the harbour has remained down the centuries boggy and difficult to cross in winter adding to the feel that Purbeck is an island!
There are many varied places to visit in Purbeck including the many lovely towns and villages nestled in a truly stunning landscape. Don’t miss a visit to Corfe Village with its iconic Castle, the Saxon Walled town of Wareham (gateway to Purbeck) and the pretty traditional seaside town of Swanage.
Here’s our guide to Purbeck’s towns and villages…
Church Knowle
Corfe
Kimmeridge
Kingston
Langton Matravers
Lulworth
Stoborough
Studland
Swanage
Worth Matravers
With two castles nearby – Lulworth and Corfe – there’s plenty of historical attractions a short drive from Wareham! On a completely smaller scale but no less interesting is the home of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) at Cloud’s Hill. Plus don’t miss a visit to The Tank Museum – the worlds biggest collection of Tanks. Or for a different aspect of war visit the atmospheric Tyneham ‘ghost village’.
There’s lots of fun ways to explore places to visit around Purbeck, from a steam train to led cycle trails, boat hire or a Safari trip in the Purbeck hills. Or for the more adventurous there’s snorkelling on the Jurassic Coast at Kimmeridge or a Stone Carving Course at Burngate.
For a more chill day why not include lunch or afternoon tea at some beautiful places to visit with gardens and landscapes or enjoy a full day retreat with panoramic sea views at Studland…
